If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
But if you are wanting a pedigree dog (one that’s a pure bred registered with the Kennel Club) then you’re going to have to splash out - the average puppy price has soared since the global pandemic and shows no signs of letting up.
These days a Tibetan Mastiff can cost you up to £10,000, although cheaper pups like the Jack Russell Terrier are more likely to be priced around the £500 mark.
Here’s how much the 13 most popular breeds of pedigree dog tend to cost, according to pet experts at Pets4Homes , with prices varying depending on the pedigree and characteristics of the mother and father.
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1. Labrador Retriever - £700-£1,500
They are the world's most popular dog and the Labrador Retriever remains the most commonly registered breed in the UK by quite some distance. Breeds like the French Bulldog have challenged the Lab's dominance in the last decade, but they didn't come close last year. There were a huge 29,919 new Labradors registered with the Royal Kennel Club last year. Expect a Lab puppy to cost £700-£1,500. | AFP via Getty Images
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2. Cocker Spaniel - £1,000-£2,500
Second spot when it comes to the most popular dogs goes to the Cocker Spaniel. Originally bred as a hunting dog they get their name from the fact they used to specialise in hunting woodcock. There were 21,618 registered with the Kennel Club in 2025. They can cost anything from £1,000 to £2,500, depending on the pedigree of their parents. | Getty Images
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3. Golden Retriever - £1,100 - £2,300
Up from fifth place to third this year is the Golden Retriever, with 9,976 new registrations last year. The breed was created by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks at his Scottish estate in the late nineteenth century. A puppy should cost from £1,100 - £2,300. | AFP via Getty Images
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4. Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund - £700 - £1,400
Dachshunds have been soaring in popularity in recent years. The miniature smooth haired variety of the sausage dog is the fourth favourite UK breed - with 8,908 registrations in 2025. The dog was originally bred to hunt small burrowing animals like rabbits. Buying one of these sausage dogs should cost £700 - £1,400. | AFP via Getty Images